Easy Air Fryer Katsu Chicken Sandwich

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This Air Fryer Katsu Chicken Sandwich is a delicious spin on a traditional Japanese food. This chicken tender Katsu sandwich is super easy to make!

two plates with chicken sandwiches on them

Air Fryer Katsu Chicken Sandwich

Let me tell you the most at-home dinner request is Chicken Katsu. Whether it be chicken breasts, chicken thighs or chicken tenders.

So I got to thinking about how could I make this Katsu different but still delicious! This Chicken Katsu Sandwich recipe is super easy to make and everyone will be wanting more.

If you want more Chicken Katsu recipes check out this Air Fryer Chicken Katsu Chicken Thighs and this Air Fryer Katsu Chicken Breast Recipe.

chicken sandwich with bite taken out of it

What does Katsu mean?

In Japanese culture, “Katsu” refers to a cutlet of meat that is coated with panko breadcrumbs and then fried. In addition to chicken katsu, you can also make pork or seafood katsu. This recipe is also called chicken katsu sando. Katsu, or “kasturetsu”, which means cutlet; “sando” is the Japanese term for a sandwich.

If you go to a Japanese restaurant you will most likely see some type of Katsu recipe on the menu since it’s popular in Japanese cuisine.

This iconic Japanese comfort food is loved all around the world—so whether you’re in New York City, Australia, or just home, it’s easy to find restaurants that serve this cutlet sandwich.

In Western Culture, we refer to the traditional Japanese sauce that is served with Katsu as “Katsu sauce.” Katsu sauce is a sweet and tangy sauce, similar to a barbecue sauce.

Katsu sauce is traditionally called Tonkatsu sauce. These two names may be used interchangeably depending on where you read or hear them.

white plate with a chicken sandwich on it

Ingredients

For the chicken

Chicken Tenders
Egg
Milk
Panko breadcrumbs (or Japanese breadcrumbs)
Seasonings: salt and black pepper
Hamburger buns (soft white bread or Japanese milk bread also works!)

Additional things you might need:

Wire rack
Paper towel (for drying)
Large plate (for plating)
Separate bowls for coating the chicken’s batter
Chopping board or cutting board
Rolling pin (for flattening the slices of bread and/or the chicken)

ingredient photo for air fryer katsu chicken sandwich

For the Katsu sauce

Ketchup
Worcestershire sauce
Soy Sauce
Sugar
Garlic (or garlic powder)

katsu sauce ingredients (Worcestershire sauce ketchup, soy sauce, sugar and garlic)

Tips & Tricks

To ensure that the chicken stays moist, check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Once they reach 165F, remove them from the air fryer. Don’t overcook.

Tools to make this recipe

Cosori Air Fryer – this is my favorite air fryer. The large air fryer basket makes it so easy to cook your favorite recipes
Tongs – tongs are easiest to remove and flip the chicken
Meat thermometer – You always want to make sure the internal temperature of ANY chicken 165F.

How to make an Air Fryer Katsu Chicken Sandwich

In one mixing bowl add the egg and milk and whisk.
In another mixing bowl add the panko bread crumbs, salt, and black pepper.
Submerge the chicken into the beaten egg and flour mix then transfer to the panko bread crumbs. Make sure you coat both sides.
Transfer the chicken breast to Air Fryer in a single layer and spray the top with avocado oil.
Cook at 390F oil temperature for 9 minutes.
Once the timer goes off, flip the chicken and spray the top with avocado oil. Place back inside the Air Fryer and cook for another 9 minutes.
Remove from the air fryer and transfer to a plate.
Pour your katsu sauce on top of the chicken. Place hot chicken on the hamburger buns
Serve and enjoy!

three bowls one with egg one with bread crumbs and another with chicken tenders

How to make homemade Tonkatsu Sauce (KATSU SAUCE)

Add all of the ingredients into a small mixing bowl and mix together with a whisk.

glass mixing bowl with katsu ingredients inside it — Add all the ingredients into a small mixing bowl.

mixing bowl with katsu sauce inside it — Add all the ingredients into a small mixing bowl.

How to make Katsu Chicken in the oven

Preheat oven to 400F
In a shallow bowl add the egg and milk and whisk.
In another mixing bowl add the panko bread crumbs, salt, and black pepper.
Submerge the chicken into the egg wash then transfer to the panko bread crumbs. Make sure you coat both sides.
Transfer the chicken breast to a cooking sheet and spray the top with avocado oil.
Cook for 20-22 minutes flipping halfway through.
Remove from oven once the chicken is golden brown. For best results, let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before cutting.
Pour the katsu sauce over the top.
Serve with hamburger buns and enjoy!

Substitutions

Here are many alternatives for chicken katsu sandwiches:

If you don’t have chicken tenders you can take a boneless skinless chicken breast and cut it up into chicken strips.
If you don’t have Panko crumbs, you can use Italian bread crumbs or regular bread crumbs. The chicken just won’t come out light and crispy. You can also use a store-bought Katsu sauce if you don’t want to make your own.
If you eat pork, you could even use pork cutlets or pork chops, but on this blog, we love to make juicy chicken recipes.
As for the cooking spray, I tend you only use avocado oil. I have this spray bottle where you just add your own avocado oil. That way there are no additives. Just plain avocado oil.

What to serve with an Air Fryer Katsu Chicken Sandwich

My favorite thing to serve chicken katsu with is white rice and to top it with homemade katsu sauce. It’s also traditionally paired with shredded cabbage.

If you make extra katsu chicken, you can also serve it over a salad.

You can also spread kewpie mayo (hot sauce or spicy mayo works just works fine too!) for that elevated savory flavor. Additionally, sprinkle sesame seeds as a garnish for the extra crunch.

How to store

Store leftovers in an airtight glass container for up to 5 days.

How to reheat

Remove the lid from the container and microwave on high for 1 to 1.5 minutes or until chicken is warm. Alternatively you can transfer to a microwave save plate to warm up.

If you want to warm this up in your air fryer, cook it for 2-3 minutes at 400F.

FAQs

Does panko work in air fryer?

Yes, Panko works perfectly in the air fryer. Panko is widely used in most Japanese cooking.

Is chicken katsu the same as fried chicken?

Chicken katsu is Japanese-style fried chicken. This is their chicken cutlet with crispy panko sandwich recipe.

More Sandwich recipes to enjoy

More Air Fryer Chicken Tender Recipes

If you loved this air fryer chicken Katsu sandwich, check out these other delicious air fryer chicken tender recipes.

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Air Fryer Katsu Chicken Sandwich

This Air Fryer Katsu Chicken Sandwich is a delicious dinner option with a Japanese twist to it. This chicken sandwich is super easy to make!

5 from 50 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 14

Total Time 24

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Japanese

Servings

Calories 191 kcal

Equipment

Air Fryer